SALMON ARM, BC-Jedd Soleway dashed any hopes of a Salmon Arm comeback with his late tally in the third period and the Penticton Vees rode a strong first period, as they scored a 3-1 win in game three of their Interior Conference Semi-Final. The Vees are now up 3-0 in the series and can sweep the Silverbacks with a win in game four Tuesday in Salmon Arm.

The Vees got off to a great start, with goals from Brock Balson and John Siemer in the first period; Balson scoring his first of the post-season and first in six games. Siemer scored his third in as many games late in the frame on the power-play.

Soleway picked up his first career playoff goal and sealed the win with his wraparound at 17:52 of the third period. After Silverbacks goalie Angus Redmond misplayed a dump-in, Soleway took the puck, went around the net and tucked it just inside the far-post and past a diving Brayden Sherbinin.

That was the only goal of the third period, a period in which the Vees outshot the Silverbacks 7-6; the Vees content to snuff-out a late push by the home team.

Salmon Arm was at their best in second period. When trailing by two they pulled out all the stops and managed to cut into the Vees lead. After a bit of a scramble, Affiliate Player Cam Berry roofed a rebound up high over the glove of Chad Katunar at 5:03; Berry’s first BCHL goal from the bottom of the right-circle. However that was the only shot that would beat Chad Katunar on Monday, as he stopped 12 of 13 shots in the middle frame and 29 of 30 overall; full value for his first star honours.

The Vees owned the first period, scoring the only two goals and taking any energy out of the building that the Silverback faithful might have provided at the beginning. The Vees got things rolling as their power-play was expiring. James de Haas’s blast from the left-circle squirted free to an awaiting Balson at the far-post for a tap-in at 6:21.

John Siemer made sure no one doubted he scored in this game, as his power-play snipe doubled the Vees lead. Siemer skated into the circle from the right-wall and found just enough room to put a wrist’er between the post and the glove of Angus Redmond at 18:10. Siemer did score the game-winner in game two Saturday, when he tipped Thomas Nitsche’s point-shot; the goal still credited to the Vees rear-guard.

The first was a riddled with penalties as the Vees had five power-plays in the opening period. A stark contrast to the first two games, when the Vees had just eight power-plays combined.

Game Notes:With Jedd Soleway and Brock Balson finding the scoresheet Monday, nine different Vees have at least one goal in the series; Mellor and Siemer the only two with two or more. Dating back to the regular season, the Vees are now 29-0-0-2 when leading after two periods; 24-2-0-3 when scoring first.

Up Next:The Vees will look to finish off the series tomorrow, March 19th in game four at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm; puck drop is 7pm. A reminder, as there still is limited seats available on the Vees booster bus for game four. Tickets are now just $34 dollars, which includes your game ticket. For more information call Greg Masson, Director of Ticketing, at 250-490-1885.